As the Holoforms of Zen and Zaria fully materialized in the training courtyard of the mansion on Virelya, an imposing silence fell. The atmosphere of the real place was entirely different from their meetings in the game. A sky of ink held two moons, casting their cold silver and blue light, while the wind that sighed through the ancient trees carried a feeling that was both serene and dangerous at the same time.
The real Karess stood leaning against a wooden pillar not far away, arms crossed. He didn't move closer, but the sharp eyes beneath his Oni half-mask sized them up before he spoke, his voice flat and cold—a stark contrast to the one Zen was used to hearing.
"Welcome to my world... You have fifteen minutes."
Zaria glanced at Zen, a silent cue for him to begin. Zen took a deep breath through his Holoform, trying to suppress his surprise at his friend's unfamiliar demeanor and surroundings.
Zen: "Karess... I know you've probably always thought I was crazy, with all those dreams..."
Karess (his voice, muffled by the mask, remained impassive): "Not exactly... they just sounded more like a B-grade sci-fi novel."
Zen gave a weak smile. "This time is different... I want you to 'see' something."
Zen didn't explain the complex theory of the Runic Power Core. Instead, he chose to "tell" the most recent story he had witnessed in his dream—the story of Xu Yianzi's growth, his training with the runes, and most importantly, how he was able to "create" energy that took on a tangible "form" by fusing basic runes with the Solen rune.
Karess stood listening, motionless, not interrupting. But Zen couldn't read any emotion from beneath that mask.
"I believe what Xu Yianzi did wasn't magic," Zen concluded, his voice serious. "He's just an ordinary person who discovered a different set of 'rules.' And this... is the model that Zaria and I built based on that principle."
Zaria projected a hologram of the "Runic Power Core" model into the air. It was a complex and beautiful energy circuit, shimmering in the light of Virelya's twin moons.
A moment of silence hung in the air...
Before Karess moved with sudden speed. He walked straight to the hologram of the power core and did something no one expected... he "snatched" the holographic control panel from Zaria and began to rotate, zoom, and inspect the complex runic structure himself with meticulous detail.
(Karess's thoughts): "Zen's always just had crazy dreams... but what the hell is this...? This model..."
Zaria's team was stunned. Only Zen allowed himself a secret smile.
Karess (muttering to himself, but loud enough for everyone to hear): "This kind of energy flow... a non-binary connection structure... it's... it's interesting..."
He looked up from the model, the eyes under his mask locking onto Zen's before he let out a soft "Ahem!" to regain his composure.
Karess (reverting to his flat tone): "...Uh... it is... interesting, I suppose... Follow me."
He led them deep into the mansion, into a private workshop filled with high-tech tools and equipment Zen had never seen before. It wasn't just a workshop; it was like a small factory, complete with robotic arms, advanced 3D printers, and half-finished circuit boards.
"We'll try to simulate its function," Karess said as he connected Zen's model to his own system. "I'll try to create a 3D model of the actual power core and then feed it simulated energy according to the circuits you've designed."
From that moment, the collaboration of three geniuses from different fields began. Zen provided the "dream" data, Zaria provided the "scientific principles," and Karess provided the "real-world manufacturing skills." They worked tirelessly via the Holoform system.
"Your time was up long ago," Karess stated flatly, but he didn't cut the connection.
He was completely engrossed in analyzing the model. His interest in the "possibility" of this technology had completely overcome his initial "suspicion."
An unknown amount of time passed. Finally... Zaria was the one to break the silence in the virtual lab. Her voice was tinged with exhaustion but remained firm.
Zaria: "I think that's enough for today... Our team is too tired. The data we've gathered today is more than enough to analyze for several days."
Dr. Aris and Lina nodded in agreement, their Holoforms beginning to turn translucent in preparation for disconnection.
Karess (still focused on the 3D model): "Hmm... true. You guys can go rest first. I'll run a few more simulations here."
The Holoforms of Zaria and her team slowly faded away, leaving only Zen still connected. He was still too excited to want to disconnect.
Zen: "You're not resting, Karess?"
Karess (glancing at Zen's Holoform for a second): "How can I rest when it's a 'friend's' project... Besides... this is a hundred times more fun than killing a boss in a game," he said, a faint smile barely visible under the Oni mask.
Zen chuckled softly. "Then I'll stay and keep you company, in case you need any help."
After that, the atmosphere returned to a quiet focus, filled only with the sound of high-tech equipment in Karess's workshop. Zen sat and watched his best friend work with a fluid, professional ease. He provided input on the "feeling" or "principles" of the runes he had sensed, while Karess took that information and translated it into rapid adjustments to the engineering model. It was a seamless collaboration, filled with understanding.
But then... the exhaustion that had been accumulating all day, combined with the relaxation of being with a trusted friend... began to hit Zen hard...
His eyelids in the real world grew heavier and heavier... the holographic image of Karess and the model began to blur... and finally...
Zen fell asleep while still connected to the Holoform!
His Holoform, in the workshop on Virelya, slumped into the virtual chair, completely limp.
Karess (noticing the abnormality): "Hey... Kalis? You asleep? Seriously... this guy..."
He muttered to himself but didn't disconnect Zen. He simply lowered the system's operational level for safety...
And in that state of consciousness, hovering between the real and virtual worlds... Zen's drifting mind was "pulled into a dream."